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Discussion: Cultural Appropriation: Too Serious?
Member Since: 3/5/2014
Posts: 7,746
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Quote:
Originally posted by Jae
If you mimic/copy/embrace western culture, (USA/UK/AUS), no-one bats an eye. They get away with it because there's nothing wrong with it. But as soon as you imitate or mimic say, Indian or African culture, you get labelled as being offensive and racist. This is why so many people (at least in Britain, to my knowledge) dare not speak a word against any of the immigrants' cultures, because we'll get labelled as being racist.
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It's all about power dynamics. White people from white culture, whatever that is, are in a position of power, a position that is not afforded to POC and especially POC immigrants. When people of power talk down on those below them on a societal level, it's looked down upon, and rightfully so.
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Banned
Member Since: 6/25/2011
Posts: 37,192
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It is pretty dumb that people are saying Avril using Japanese phrases in her song is offensive, when J-Pop songs have little English phrases all the time.
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Member Since: 1/8/2012
Posts: 13,571
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People are so sensitive 
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ATRL Senior Member
Member Since: 3/22/2012
Posts: 53,769
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I feel like reactions are too harsh and slightly misplaced. While cultural appropriate can be done in ways that are incredibly offensive, there are some instances in which an individual truly wishes to appreciate the culture that they are using. In such a case, I feel that negative reaction should be held at least a little below utter vilification. On the other hand, though, if it's done even unintentionally, if it's disrespectful or inaccurate or offensive, it should be called out on the same level as anything else. I'm not saying that it's actually right to appropriate in any specific instance, but simply that peaceful discussion of why it is wrong and pointing out to those who do it in a calm manner that they are wrong May be more beneficial in the end.
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Member Since: 3/5/2014
Posts: 7,746
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Quote:
Originally posted by Jameson Teqkilla
It is pretty dumb that people are saying Avril using Japanese phrases in her song is offensive, when J-Pop songs have little English phrases all the time.
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Although I don't find any issue with Avril's video since it was made specifically for her Japanese audience, I want to say that this logic doesn't apply both ways. It's similar to why black people can say the "n" word and white people can't. It's about power dynamics. A white person running around speaking popular Japanese words such as "kawaii" without actually knowing anything about Japanese culture or even knowing the language itself is appropriative and just embarrassing. In addition, English is taught in many foreign countries and a lot of countries even require kids to learn it at a young age, so a lot of these JPOP acts might actually know some English.
Quote:
Originally posted by Red Hot Moon
Came here to post something similar. All our Cities these Days are melting Pots. People of different Races/Religions/Nationalities live next to one another. We all travel a lot, take inspirations back home. How can someone claim to keep a Culture "clean" from other Influences is a good Thing? I personally think that we can learn from another. There are so many "mixed" People outthere, where do they even belong? Which culture are they allowed to adopt?
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What are you talking about? There are many countries that are not "melting pots". Loads of Asian countries, such as South Korea, are nearly entirely homogeneous. The only countries that are melting pots are the ones the west have invaded and taken over.  Remaining homogenized is a way these countries keep from being invaded by Western culture. It's not a bad thing.
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Member Since: 1/1/2014
Posts: 3,060
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It's quite interesting tbh, western cultures influenced so many countries and there are plenty of pop stars in other countries who mimic western culture. However, because the west is richer and because it exploits the rest of the world it means the rest of the world has victim status.
It's kind of like a privilege argument. I am always a bit dubious of those because I don't like the idea of one persons opinion being seen as more valid just because they are more of a victim or have less privilege.
There is some merit too it too though, a woman is going to know more about issues that only affect women so her opinion is more likely to be more informed about such things. You can apply the same logic to this situation butI don't know if that closes the case or not tbh.
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Banned
Member Since: 10/28/2011
Posts: 21,283
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I am Black and African-American and I don't want people from outside of my culture cheapening and demeaning parts of my culture, exploiting it for personal gain, or perpetuating dangerously ignorant ideas about it.
Why should I have to suffer so you can have fun?
Unless you have a genuine appreciation and desire to learn about my people, keep your paws off of our ****, and certainly don't steal it when you don't know **** about it.
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Member Since: 1/1/2014
Posts: 3,060
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Quote:
Originally posted by BLaCKPoWeR
I am Black and African-American and I don't want people from outside of my culture cheapening and demeaning parts of my culture, exploiting it for personal gain, or perpetuating dangerously ignorant ideas about it.
Why should I have to suffer so you can have fun?
Unless you have a genuine appreciation and desire to learn about my people, keep your paws off of our ****, and certainly don't steal it when you don't know **** about it.
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Are you from an African country though? If not, do you view yourself as part of African culture or the culture of your own country, or maybe both?
This isn't a confrontation btw, I am genuinely curious.
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Member Since: 5/7/2011
Posts: 7,679
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Quote:
Originally posted by Miles Caulfield
It's not needed and people feel violated by it. If you're not offended by Dark Horse or Hello Kitty and you're Egyptian or Japanese, cool for you. If you're saying you're not offended as a defense and you're white you need to get out. People are allowed to be offended by gross appropriation.
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Why would Egyptians have the right to be offended by the Dark Horse video? Most (if not all) Europeans are descended from Ancient Egyptians, surely we have the right to be offended by it if they do? The culture died 2000 years ago, it's ridiculous to imply that people still have an emotional connection to it.
Incredibly offensive to imply that Egyptians haven't advanced socially since before Jesus was born. Jesus was born half way between the Pyramids construction and now, I mean. 
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Member Since: 8/31/2013
Posts: 9,758
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People want to be offended by things.
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Member Since: 3/4/2014
Posts: 1,333
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Quote:
Originally posted by Bang Up
Although I don't find any issue with Avril's video since it was made specifically for her Japanese audience, I want to say that this logic doesn't apply both ways. It's similar to why black people can say the "n" word and white people can't. It's about power dynamics. A white person running around speaking popular Japanese words such as "kawaii" without actually knowing anything about Japanese culture or even knowing the language itself is appropriative and just embarrassing. In addition, English is taught in many foreign countries and a lot of countries even require kids to learn it at a young age, so
What are you talking about? There are many countries that are not "melting pots". Loads of Asian countries, such as South Korea, are nearly entirely homogeneous. The only countries that are melting pots are the ones the west have invaded and taken over. Remaining homogenized is a way these countries keep from being invaded by Western culture. It's not a bad thing. |
Please, Globalisation exists. Even between certain Asian Countries, when Immigrant look for Jobs in whealthier Regions. Tourism, Gap years, Study abroad, this is all part of this Process. When you have been studying in another Country for some time you take Ideas/Parts of the Culture back home with you. Is that so difficult to understand? Are you actually claiming that a Society should prevent f.e. Marriages between Members of different Nationalities/Races to avoid being invaded by Western Cultures?! Sorry.
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Member Since: 6/2/2012
Posts: 37,284
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Yes. I think it's just another sad way to bash celebrities most of the time.
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Member Since: 4/20/2012
Posts: 11,335
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culture appropriation exists, but not in the form many people nowadays like to accuse. most of the time it's in a crude or just generally distasteful manner. borrowing or being influenced by a certain culture doesn't necessarily mean it's appropriation, it might just be a form of respect for the culture or being visually inspired by it.
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Member Since: 4/20/2012
Posts: 11,335
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Quote:
Originally posted by Red Hot Moon
Came here to post something similar. All our Cities these Days are melting Pots. People of different Races/Religions/Nationalities live next to one another. We all travel a lot, take inspirations back home. How can someone claim to keep a Culture "clean" from other Influences is a good Thing? I personally think that we can learn from another. There are so many "mixed" People outthere, where do they even belong? Which culture are they allowed to adopt?
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"melting pots" is such a vapid and incorrect term. melting pots would indicate that cultures mesh together when in reality they don't. especially in America (MAYBE in New York but overall no). most notably in major cities, every culture is confined to a specific area and they live there for years and hardly ever go out and mingle. there are just some places in the country you choose that are just a place where you WILL see mostly Hispanics or Asians or Americans or this or that. as I said, that's what America is. "melting pot" is just a general and seemingly positive way at looking at coexistence in cultures, but it's not true.
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Member Since: 4/20/2012
Posts: 11,335
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Quote:
Originally posted by Miles Caulfield
It's not needed and people feel violated by it. If you're not offended by Dark Horse or Hello Kitty and you're Egyptian or Japanese, cool for you. If you're saying you're not offended as a defense and you're white you need to get out. People are allowed to be offended by gross appropriation.
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Dark Horse is loosely inspired by Cleopatra  why would Egyptians be offended?
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Member Since: 3/4/2014
Posts: 1,333
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Quote:
Originally posted by J03Y
"melting pots" is such a vapid and incorrect term. melting pots would indicate that cultures mesh together when in reality they don't. especially in America (MAYBE in New York but overall no). most notably in major cities, every culture is confined to a specific area and they live there for years and hardly ever go out and mingle. there are just some places in the country you choose that are just a place where you WILL see mostly Hispanics or Asians or Americans or this or that. as I said, that's what America is. "melting pot" is just a general and seemingly positive way at looking at coexistence in cultures, but it's not true.
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Girl, I have an M.A. In Political/Social Science. My BF is writing her PhD about this Topic. I was born in one Country, live in another, have the Nationality of a third. You act as if my Parents did something wrong when stating something like, Cultures/Nations should defend their Identity by not mixing. Let me not...Cultures, Races and Nationalities mix, please look up some UN Stats.
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Member Since: 3/4/2014
Posts: 1,333
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And: I was talking about Cities and I did not specifically mention the US, since I live in Europe. Reading Comprehension Skills.
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Member Since: 4/20/2012
Posts: 11,335
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Quote:
Originally posted by Red Hot Moon
Girl, I have an M.A. In Political/Social Science. My BF is writing her PhD about this Topic. I was born in one Country, live in another, have the Nationality of a third. You act as if my Parents did something wrong when stating something like, Cultures/Nations should defend their Identity by not mixing. Let me not...Cultures, Races and Nationalities mix, please look up some UN Stats.
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did you add anything to this discussion or did you just list off your own experiences like they some how equate to the rest of the ****ing planet?
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Member Since: 4/20/2012
Posts: 11,335
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Quote:
Originally posted by Red Hot Moon
And: I was talking about Cities and I did not specifically mention the US, since I live in Europe. Reading Comprehension Skills.
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I used the US as an example, the same could be said for every other country in the world
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Banned
Member Since: 6/25/2011
Posts: 37,192
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Quote:
Originally posted by J03Y
"melting pots" is such a vapid and incorrect term. melting pots would indicate that cultures mesh together when in reality they don't. especially in America (MAYBE in New York but overall no). most notably in major cities, every culture is confined to a specific area and they live there for years and hardly ever go out and mingle. there are just some places in the country you choose that are just a place where you WILL see mostly Hispanics or Asians or Americans or this or that. as I said, that's what America is. "melting pot" is just a general and seemingly positive way at looking at coexistence in cultures, but it's not true.
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No, cultures definitely mix in the U.S. Like, a lot. Immigrant communities tend to stick together, yes, but their children become part of the melting pot and tend to blend with multiple cultures.
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